Everyone on our team is a registered counsellor.
To see if we are covered, check with your insurance benefits provider. If your plan says you are covered for a registered therapist/counsellor or a clinical counsellor, then we are covered. If it specifically says counsellors require a Master's degree or PhD, then we are not covered by this plan.
Counsellors hold different designations. Some have been trained through the academic route and some are trained through competency (professional training, diplomas, and experience). Regardless, meeting with a designated counsellor is important. Designations mean that we are registered with a governing body and we follow the Ethics and Standards of Practice of this body, including paying annual fees and meeting competency requirements.
So what do the different designations stand for?
- registered with the Association of Canadian Counsellors and Therapists (ACCT)
- meets the standard level of qualifications
- has a minimum of 200 direct client contact hours and 40 clinical supervision hours which may include practicum experience, and/or paid or unpaid work experience in a counselling-related capacity conducted within the last five years
- registered with the Association of Canadian Counsellors and Therapists (ACCT)
- a counsellor working towards attaining a full RTC designation
- has a minimum of 100 direct client contact hours and 20 clinical supervision hours which may include practicum experience, and/or paid or unpaid work experience in a counselling-related capacity conducted within the last five years
- registered with the Association of Canadian Counsellors and Therapists (ACCT)
- has a minimum of 1000 hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a qualified supervisor and have attained a minimum of 50 clinical supervision hours post-graduation by a qualified supervisor